tapping fuel pump, it works!

[erubin]

I just got back home from helping my friend get his car running again. The car had good spark. Spraying starter fluid allowed the engine to catch for a second. next i went to the fuel pump and had my friend turn the ignition on and off. the pump made no noise and even with my hand on it i could not feel the pump running. I tapped the pump and presto the car started up fine but still no noise. Is the lack of noise odd?

Every time you try to start the car it requires some tapping on the pump to get the engine running. Then the engine runs fine untill..you try to start it again, But even when it does catches the pump makes no noticeable noise.

I suspect the pump must be replaced (the wire connections to the pump are held down tight as they should).

Any other tests should be performed before replacing the pump?